HAMBURG, NY – The Highlanders opened up conference play against a familiar opponent, the Hilbert Hawks. In a back-and-forth match up, with each team trading set wins, it all came down to the fifth and final set where the Hawks gained the match advantage 3-2.
GAME VITALS
Score: Houghton – 2 | Hilbert - 3
Records: Houghton: 0-15, 0-1 AMCC | Hilbert: 8-9, 0-0 AMCC
Scores: 15-25, 25-21, 20-25, 25-22, 8-15
Venue: Brad Hafner Recreation Center | Attendance: 130
Recap:
The Highlanders traveled up to Hamburg, NY to open up conference play against the Hilbert Hawks. These two teams are not strangers as this marked their third match-up of the season with Hilbert having the 2-0 match advantage winning each match in a 3-0 sweep. This match would prove to be different.
In the middle of the first set, Hilbert took the early advantage. Houghton would continue to chip away at the lead, but fell to the Hawks 15-25. The Highlanders reset and came out strong in the second set and got the set victory, 25-21.
With the match evened up at 1-1, the third set was a battle but the Hawks took the set 25-20. The Highlanders would show their resilience and with their backs against the wall won the fourth set 25-22 forcing the deciding fifth set.
The Hawks offense came alive in the fifth set tallying eight kills and hitting .263. Houghton struggled offensively and had no answer defensively and dropped the fifth set 8-15.
NOTABLE STATS
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Elijah Sproull collected his first double-double of the season with a team high 17 kills and added 10 assists
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Jerry Buno added 19 assists
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Devin Cline tallied 10 kills
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Devin Burns led the defensive effort with 15 digs
COACH'S CORNER
"We lost an exciting 5-set match at Hilbert. The match was highlighted by excellent play on both sides of the net. I was proud of the guys and the resilience they showed by never giving up." -Head Coach, Dave Bourne
UP NEXT
Houghton will travel to Rochester, NY to face off against St. John Fish on Saturday, March 22
nd at 3:00pm.
